Walking Down Memory Lane

As readers, it’s fun to re-visit or at least ponder the books we read when we were younger. I know my reading tastes have changed quite a bit but I thought it would be fun to share some of the books I read when I was younger. Kay’s post from the other day reminded me just how fun those reading years were so be sure to check out her post as well.

These books are in no particular order:

Nancy Drew

I read every single Nancy Drew book in the series and then moved on to the Hardy Boys. Girl detective, a mystery to solve, a handsome boyfriend. I was all over these books.

Sweet Valley High

Sweet Valley High was a favorite. There were several books in the series, all of them good. Twins, in high school. Two totally different personalities. Fun stuff.

Flowers in the Attic
Flowers in the Attic. A family is forced to live in the attic of their wealthy grandparents’ home after their father is killed in a car accident. It’s a bizarre story and there were at least four other books in the series. Talk about dysfunction!

The Outsiders

The Outsiders. I still love this book. Ponyboy, a Greaser, tries to figure it all out with his brothers as they deal with the aftermath of a fight which leaves a young man dead. I read this on my own, then in middle school we read it together as a class and then watched the movie. I handed it to my son at a time when he absolutely would not read a book and he loved it, too.

Harlequin Presents
Harlequin Presents. I am a little embarrassed to even say I read these but I could not get them into my hands fast enough. There was this bookstore inside the mall and my friends and I would head over with our pocket-money to spin that wire rack and take a new book home for the weekend. I was maybe eleven or twelve at the time. Oh la la! Actually, they were pretty tame.

Carrie
Carrie and Stephen King, in general. I read many of his books when I was young. Carrie was just one of them. I also read many of his short story collections during this time. The library had several copies, always available so I never had any trouble getting a copy. Except for the librarian who took it upon herself to give me a lecture every time I checked one out. Apparently, a young girl should not fill her mind with such horrible things. Tsk. Tsk. I mean, look at me. I turned out okay, right?

What books do you remember from childhood or from your early teen years?

Sunday Matters: Madness

Sunday Matters

This has been a very interesting week of challenges. I think I caught myself going mad at least three times, possibly four. Just too many things coming at me at once and me being too tired to want to deal with any of them. Some things that put me over the top:

  • My daughter not getting the part she tried for in the play.
  • Attending junior high orientation, the same night she got the news about the play. Hysterics. Sadness. I needed drugs. Didn’t have any.
  • My car leaking gasoline everywhere the same day we get the other car back from having the alternator repaired.
  • A freak electrical storm which forced track practice to end early and caused The Girl to almost pass out from fright.

But that’s all behind us now and Saturday we had The Girl’s first track meet and she decided to add High Jump as an event. Something she’s always been afraid to try. It was a proud moment to see her do that when I know that deep down, she was terrified. We also attended a choir concert for The Teen. A very nice way to end the day.

The Teen? How has he been? Well, he’s been pretty good. Plugging away at his SAT prep class and preparing for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in May. He should be getting his license here pretty soon if he ever finishes his driver’s training.

The Girl? Trying to decide what elective to take in junior high. Will she take yearbook like her brother? Or audition for choir? Or will she opt for four quarter long electives? She’s not sure yet. She’s leaning towards yearbook but that and choir she has to apply/interview for so who knows how that will all go.

Right Now:

About to head to church. I sure need it! In addition to my coffee I really want to tempt fate and eat a bagel but I know I can’t do that with my gluten issues. I really want one though.

This Week:

Should be a better week. We don’t have much going on except track and the basic ensemble rehearsal for the show.

Reading:

Reading

  • The Book of Strange New Things (really good but it’s a big one)
  • The Bullet (hoping this is a page turner)

Watching:

Same old stuff but soon things will be ending and I’ll have to fill-up my time with something else.

  • The Walking Dead has only two more episodes! Daryl is on a bike again! Things are happening.
  • Bates Motel is getting good too but this is a quieter show. Not as much action but it’s riveting.
  • Breaking Bad has become one of my fave shows. I am on season four, episode six. My lunches have been enjoyable while watching this one.

Making:

I never got to make gumbo last week so I really want it this week. Of course, The Teen will complain. He doesn’t like food that goes over rice.

Grateful for:

My bed. I need to catch-up on sleep and although my bed is not new or fancy or adjustable in any way, it feels good to get into it after a long week.